Less Outdated Liberia Photos

I went to Liberia. I mentioned that I went to Liberia, right? I spent three months doing research on customary land rights, so the majority of my time was spent in far-flung villages without electricity, toilets, showers, etc. Despite some minor downfalls (such as being stung on the nose by a wasp and a few bouts of giardia), my time in Liberia was an amazing experience that allowed me to develop as both a professional and a person.

Also, I got to meet amazing people, climb mountains, and go to the beach. I'm so glad that this is my job!

Seriously Outdated Wedding Photos

No, seriously! I got married! And here are some photos to prove it:

Two Years Later

It's been about two years since my last blog post. To summarize what I've been doing since July 2009:

• I got married (woot-woot!);
• I got an actual job at an actual international nonprofit (and I love it);
• I went to Liberia for work (my first trip to Africa);
• I went on vacation;
• I ran a half-marathon (and started training for another);
• I started learning Russian; and,
• I got a Fulbright to Kyrgyzstan!

This last point is my main inspiration for jumping back into the blogosphere. Day to day life in Seattle is great, but not interesting enough to write about every day. Nor is it interesting enough to read about every day. In contrast, day to day life in Kyrgyzstan is very interesting. If you've been reading this blog for a long time (i.e. if you're my Mom or my sister), then you probably remember stories about almost getting trampled by young stallions bolting down the road. That doesn't happen here. Civil Unrest Fest? That also doesn't happen here.

What I'm trying to say is, after six years, I'm going back to Kyrgyzstan. And I'm pretty excited about it.

New volunteering gig

I met with the Country Director for Relief International yesterday. In Tajikistan, Relief International primarly sets-up internet centers in schools across the country to promote cultural understanding and education. As a volunteer, I'll be working at one of the internet centers - at a local school for the deaf. One of the deaf students is currently learning English with the hopes of studying in the US for a year and I'm going to help her.

I have experience teaching English, but not to deaf students. This will pose a new challenge. Also, I hadn't expected to be teaching English in Dushanbe, but I think this will be a new and interesting experience. Also, if this student does end up studying in the US, I'll have helped get her there.